The Summer Reading Challenge will be back this summer in Buckinghamshire Libraries.
This year’s challenge is called Story Garden and is all about Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors inspiring children to tap into a world of imagination through reading, exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature.
In Buckinghamshire Libraries from Saturday 5 July and finishing on Saturday 13 September
From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone! Children will be able to find new reads linked to their favourite creative arts, and access free activities at the library. We can’t wait to get creative!
About the 2025 summer reading challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays. Children sign up at their local library, choose a reading goal, then read any books of their choice to collect special stickers along the way – all for FREE.
There is a digital platform too, so the fun can carry on at home! Children can take part in the Challenge at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
How the challenge works
- Children sign up at their local library to start their Challenge or visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
- Borrow books and get reading! Children set their reading goal (we suggest six books) and record what they have read along the way. Library staff and volunteers are on hand to chat to children about books they have read.
- For every book read children can pick up stickers (some are smelly!) as they progress through the Challenge.
- Children who complete their Challenge are presented with a certificate and a medal.
Mini Challenge: There is a bite-sized version of the Challenge, available for children aged 3 and under. This is a great way to encourage families with younger children to regularly borrow and read books over the summer, especially if older siblings are taking part in the main Challenge. Mini challengers can collect six stickers to complete the Mini Challenge and earn a special gold sticker at the end.
Children can also take part online to collect digital rewards.
Fun library events this summer
View our upcoming library events.
Volunteering opportunities for young people 14+
Spread the joy of reading! Become a Summer Reading Challenge volunteer. We are looking for young people aged 14 to 25 to support the Summer Reading Challenge in Buckinghamshire Libraries.
Opportunities may include:
- Helping to run activities for children and families
- Handing out prizes and signing up new challengers
- Talking to children about the books they’ve read
Contact your local library today to ask about volunteering opportunities for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Spark a love of reading
Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays if they do not have regular access to books or reading and this can impact them when they return to the classroom. The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge really helps by getting over 700,000 children regularly into libraries every summer, with thousands more taking part online.
There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to choose books freely and independently and is endorsed by parents and teachers.
The Summer Reading Challenge increases children’s reading engagement and confidence and supports a variety of local and national government priorities, including post-Covid recovery, the levelling up of opportunity, and the support of children’s health and wellbeing.
More information at readingagency.co.uk.
